Question 1: Define the term 'welfare state' and explain its main purpose in UK society.

Answer: A welfare state is a government system that provides social services and financial support to citizens to ensure a basic standard of living. Its main purpose is to reduce poverty, promote social equality, and support those in need.

Question 2: Identify and describe two types of benefits provided by the UK welfare state.

Answer: Two types of benefits are: (1) Unemployment benefits, which provide financial support to individuals who are out of work, and (2) Child benefits, which support families with the cost of raising children.

Question 3: Discuss how the welfare state can influence social mobility in the UK.

Answer: The welfare state can promote social mobility by providing access to education, healthcare, and social services, which help individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds improve their life chances and move up the social ladder.

Question 4: Explain the concept of 'social stratification' and how the welfare state interacts with it.

Answer: Social stratification refers to the division of society into hierarchical layers based on factors like income, occupation, and education. The welfare state interacts with stratification by attempting to reduce inequalities through redistribution of resources and support for disadvantaged groups.

Question 5: Suggest two criticisms of the UK's welfare state in terms of its impact on social inequality.

Answer: Criticisms include: (1) It may create dependency among recipients, reducing motivation to work, and (2) It may be viewed as unfair by those who pay higher taxes or do not receive benefits.

Question 6: Describe a scenario where the welfare state might fail to reduce social inequality.

Answer: A scenario could involve a low-income family unable to access quality education or healthcare despite welfare provisions, due to systemic inequalities or lack of local resources, thus perpetuating their disadvantaged status.

Question 7: Draw a simple diagram illustrating the flow of resources from the government to different social groups within the welfare state.

Answer: A correct sketch would show the government at the top distributing resources (like taxes) downward to various groups such as low-income families, the elderly, unemployed individuals, and healthcare services, with arrows indicating the flow of resources.

Question 8: Sketch a diagram that represents the concept of social inequality in the UK and how the welfare state aims to address it.

Answer: A correct diagram would depict a vertical hierarchy with different social classes, showing the welfare state as a mechanism that redistributes resources from the richer upper classes to the poorer lower classes, with arrows indicating redistribution and support.

Question 9: Evaluate the effectiveness of the welfare state in reducing poverty in the UK today.

Answer: The welfare state has been effective in reducing absolute poverty by providing essential services and benefits; however, critics argue that it may not fully address relative poverty or systemic inequalities, and some suggest reforms are needed to improve its impact.